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‘I Resigned So That…’: Sheikh Hasina Blamed US For Bangladesh Unrest In Undelivered Speech – Exclusive

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Dhaka: Sheikh Hasina’s close aide told Times Now that she took the decision to step down as the Prime Minister of protest-hit Bangladesh so that the death toll does not go up. He said the radicals wanted more casualties in the ongoing clashes between protesters and police.

Before fleeing the country, the Awami League leader told her close associate that the United States is behind the protests which have so far claimed more than 200 lives with no endgame in sight. Hasina wanted to make a speech before leaving the country to make people aware of these things but she had to pack up and rush.

“I resigned so that I did not have to see the procession of dead bodies. They wanted to come to power over the dead bodies of students, but I did not allow it. I resigned from premiership. I could have remained in power if I had surrendered the sovereignty of Saint Martin Island and allowed America to hold sway over the Bay of Bengal. I beseech to the people of my land, please do not be manipulated by radicals,” Hasina told her associate before stepping down.

She added, “If I had remained in the country, more lives would have been lost more resources would have been destroyed. I made the extremely difficult decision to exit. I became your leader because you chose me, you were my strength.”

“Don’t lose hope. I will return soon. I have lost but the people of Bangladesh have won, the people for whom my father, my family died,” she added.

Hasina quit as the PM of Bangladesh and fled the country amid mounting pressure from army and protesters. She landed in India where she was allowed only a “brief halt” but her stay had to be extended as the UK denied permission for an asylum. The ex-PM is still trying to negotiate with other countries while staying at Hindan Air Base in Ghaziabad.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the principal rival to Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, has expressed dissatisfaction with India’s decision to provide refuge to the ousted prime minister after she fled to India on Monday.

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Roy said, “The BNP believes that Bangladesh and India should have cooperation. The Indian government must understand and act following this spirit. However, supporting our adversaries complicates the maintenance of that cooperation.” Roy made these comments in a conversation with TOI from Dhaka.

Who’s Ruling Bangladesh Now?

While Hasina is still looking for an asylum, Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus has assumed leadership of caretaker government, aiming to guide the country towards recovery after weeks of intense violence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Yunus and affirmed India’s commitment to collaborating with Dhaka to achieve the “shared aspirations” of peace, security, and development for both nations. Modi also expressed hope for a swift return to normalcy. He emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and other minority communities.

On Saturday, Yunus condemned attacks on the minority communities in the violence-hit nation, terming them as “heinous”, and urged the youth to protect all Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families from harm.

Members of minority communities in Bangladesh faced at least 205 incidents of attacks in 52 districts since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, according to two Hindu organisations — Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad — in the country.

“There are many standing by to make your efforts futile. Don’t fail this time,” he said while addressing the students at the Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur city. Yunus unequivocally condemned the attacks on minority communities in the country, calling the acts “heinous”. He urged the students to protect all Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families from harm.

“Are they not the people of this country? You have been able to save the country; can’t you save some families?…You must say — no one can harm them. They are my brothers; we fought together, and we will stay together,” he asserted, underscoring the need for national unity.

Source by : Times Now

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